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2 Dec 2005 : Column 880W—continued
Terrorist Suspects
Danny Alexander:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps
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to ascertain whether flights being used for the extraordinary rendition of suspected terrorists to countries that practise torture are making use of UK airports. [33844]
Ian Pearson: The Government are aware of media allegations about extraordinary rendition" operations allegedly conducted by the United States (US) authorities. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has written to the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, on behalf of EU partners.
Uganda
Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to support planned multiparty elections in Uganda in 2006; and if he will make a statement. [32921]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 1 December 2005]: The UK welcomed the decision of the Ugandan people, in their referendum of 28 July, to endorse the re-introduction of a multi-party political system. On 18 November the UK, as EU Presidency, issued a statement making clear our concerns regarding the recent arrest of the opposition leader, Dr. Kiiza Besigye. It is important that all parties are able, and are seen to be able, to compete freely and fairly in the 2006 elections.
The UK is an active member of the Kampala based Partners for Democracy Group, which co-ordinates international support for the political transition in Uganda. The Department for International Development has provided £600,000 to the donor funded Election Support Unit and has also committed £400,000 to the national civic education programme. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently funding a project to help build capacity in all Uganda's major political parties as they prepare for the 2006 elections.
UN Convention Against Corruption
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many rounds of discussions his Department has held with business groups regarding the UN Convention Against Corruption; which business groups were involved in these discussions; and what concerns were raised by business groups in relation to the convention. [33507]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 1 December 2005]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly discusses the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in meetings with businesses and business associations, including with the International Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry, as it does in contacts with other stakeholders, especially non-governmental organisations.
Concerns raised by businesses about UNCAC include the potential misuse of the convention, the scope of UK courts to investigate the substance of corruption allegations made overseas and arbitration mechanisms.
Zimbabwe
Mr. Graham Stuart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions
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he has had with the Governments of (a) China and (b) South Africa regarding their support for President Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe. [33016]
Ian Pearson: China is aware of our views on Zimbabwe. Our ambassador to the UN has raised Zimbabwe with his Chinese opposite number on several occasions, and has made clear our views in Security Council discussions, most recently on 4 October 2005. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office political director raised our concerns directly with the Assistant Foreign Minister in July, and the embassy in Beijing has discussed Zimbabwe with the Chinese Government at all levels, particularly on the issue of military assistance.
We discuss Zimbabwe with the Government of South Africa frequently. They are aware that we believe more should be done in the region to put pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe to reform. My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, raised Zimbabwe with South African Foreign Minister, Zuma, most recently on 7 November at the EU-South Africa Co-operation Council.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Civil Partnerships Act
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost has been of awareness campaigns for the Civil Partnerships Act 2004, broken down by campaign. [33737]
Meg Munn: The total cost of the awareness campaign for the Civil Partnership Act 2004 has been £30, 648.
The Civil Partnership publicity materials production costs have been £19, 435.
The distribution costs of these publicity materials have been £11,213 to date.
Coal Imports
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the coal used for electricity generation in the United Kingdom was imported in each of the last three years. [32938]
Malcolm Wicks: In 2004, 57 per cent. of coal used for electricity generation in the UK was imported.
Correspondence
Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister of State for Energy will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of 19 September on behalf of a constituent, Alan Stedall. [29152]
Malcolm Wicks: The response to my right hon. Friend has been delayed by administrative issues. The response will be with you in the next few days.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to reply to Mr. Tony Humphrey's letter to him of 3 November on his announcements on public sector pensions. [30728]
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Alan Johnson [holding answer 21 November 2005]: My Department has no record of receiving this letter. If the hon. Member is able to provide me with a copy, I will ensure it receives a speedy reply.
Corruption
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 1W, on corruption, when his Department was first informed of the allegations of corruption involving a Department for Trade and Industry employee; and if he will make a statement. [27874]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 14 November 2005]: There are sensitivities linked to any allegations made against individuals. I am not in a position to comment on such allegations. However, bribery and corruption are criminal offences and as such dealt with by the criminal justice system. UK Trade and Investment takes such allegations very seriously and co-operates fully with the criminal justice system.
Departmental Estate
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade andIndustry which buildings and sites used by his Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under current plans for relocation. [31740]
Alan Johnson:
In the last year, the Department has vacated its accommodation in Elizabeth House, York Road, London SE1; 10–18 Victoria Street, London SW1; 4 Abbey Orchard Street, London SW1. In the next 12 months, the Department plans to vacate its accommodation in Oxford House, Oxford Street, London WC1 and two floors of 151 Buckingham Palace, London SW1.
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Departmental Staff
Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who the Director of Human Resources and Change Management is in his Department; what relevant specialist qualifications he or she holds; and what the details are of his or her career to date. [26315]
Alan Johnson: The Director of HR and CM at the DTI is Shirley Pointer. She has over 25 years' experience working as an HR professional within the private sector with substantial experience.
She has a degree in psychology and is a member of the CIPD.
Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who the Director of Finance and Resource Management is in his Department; what relevant specialist qualifications he or she holds; and what the details are of his career to date. [26317]
Alan Johnson: The (acting) Director of Finance and Resource Management is Adam Jackson, who was formerly Director of Business Planning. He is a career civil servant who has wide experience of the Department, including corporate services and policy delivery. He has no specialist financial qualifications, but is supported by a team of professionally qualified accountants and procurement specialists.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 699W, on departmental staff, what the (a) job role and title, (b) grade and (c) responsibilities are for each of the secondees working in his Department. [28661]
Alan Johnson: The following table shows all the people currently working in the Department of Trade and Industry on secondment. The table indicates the job title and notional grade for each secondee and the name of the DTI directorate to which the secondee is attached.
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